John Powell Taylor

Col. John Powell Taylor
John Powell Taylor signed Banknote from 1779
Representative to the North Carolina Provincial Congress for Granville County
In office
1776–1776
Personal details
Born(1696-11-18)18 November 1696
Died22 March 1780(1780-03-22) (aged 83)
PartyPatriot (American Revolution)
SpouseCatherine Pendleton (1699-1774)
Children10, including Joseph Taylor (colonel)
Occupation
Military service
Years of service
1776-1780
Rank
CommandsGranville County Militia
Battles/wars

John Powell Taylor was a Virginia-born American politician and officer who served as a representative to the North Carolina Provincial Congress and also worked financing the American Revolution in North Carolina and supplying the local soldiers with provisions.[1] He was a community leader and early settler of the Province of North Carolina, being the progenitor of many hundreds of descendants. His 4th great-granddaughter is Elizabeth Taylor.

Early life and family

John Powell Taylor was born to Col. James Taylor (1633–1698) and Mary Gregory (1665–1698) in Virginia. His maternal great-grandfather was Sir Rodger Gregory (1571–1629).

American Revolution

In 1776, Taylor represented Granville County, in the North Carolina Provincial Congress.[2] A lieutenant colonel in the Granville County Regiment of Militia,[2], he took the Oath of Allegiance to the Patriot cause in 1778 and began co-signing bills of credit issued by the state to the fund the American Revolutionary War in 1779.[3] In 1780 he supplied provision to the Continental forces, helping troops in North Carolina and being repaid for it by the state.[4]

Death

Taylor died in 1780 at aged 83.

References

  1. ↑ “North Carolina Patriot Military Miscellaneous: Taylor, John — Commissary & Captain,” *The American Revolution in North Carolina* (Carolana.com), noting militia service roles associated with John Taylor. https://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/nc_patriot_military_miscellaneous.html
  2. 1 2 “Granville County Regiment of Militia,” *The American Revolution in North Carolina* (Carolana.com), lists officers of the regiment including Lt. Col. John Taylor and outlines its authorization and service record. https://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/nc_granville_county_regiment.html
  3. ↑ John R. DeTreville & William S. Powell, *Currency | NCpedia: Part II: Revolution‑Era Currency and the Importance of North Carolina Gold Production*, Encyclopedia of North Carolina, overview of currency issuance and bills of credit during the Revolution. https://www.ncpedia.org/currency-part-2-revolution-era
  4. ↑ “North Carolina Provincial Congresses,” *NCpedia*, overview of the colonial/Provincial Congresses’ roles in governance during the Revolution. https://www.ncpedia.org/provincial-congresses